Nothing Is Wasted

For as long as I’ve known him, a good friend of mine has always said, “Nothing is wasted,” and it’s one of those things that you hear but you really don’t comprehend.  Like any other saying, it gets to be cliché over time, becoming nothing more than a string of words.  However, when I spoke to him last week, I think I finally comprehended it, as though I was hearing it for the first time. 

Nothing is wasted.  The Bible even says: all work produces profit.

This conversation with my friend came on the heels of me watching a vid of Tyler Perry doing his best to explain his secrets to success.  And to sum it up, TP essentially said all one can do is the work.  The only thing he could control was how many seeds he planted.

Let’s take a look at the agricultural analogy used.  A farmer studies his crop.  He tends to his soil to make certain the ground is fertile, and he plants his seeds at precisely the right time of year.  He’s done his job.  Unfortunately he can’t control the weather.  He has no clue whether it will be a perfect summer or if all of his crop will be destroyed by a horrific storm.  He could be heading into the longest drought in history, yet that doesn’t mean he’s failed as a farmer.  He did his part.

In the video Tyler goes on to explain that he lived a drought-like existence for many years before a raindrop hit his lips.  Today we see him as the mogul that he is.  It appears that any and every idea he has produces an abundance of fruit.  And that may well be true, but let’s go back to “Nothing is wasted.”  I believe that Tyler is not only reaping the benefits of the work he does today, but he’s also being rewarded for all those seeds he planted years before that didn’t bear fruit.   Nothing is wasted.  All work produces profit.  If you believe these things for yourself, it frees you to keep moving and it allows you to stop getting angry over what you don’t see.  You now understand there is no reason to doubt or complain about what you don’t have, because not one shred of your work, or of your effort will go to waste.  The only variable here lies with the seeds that you plant and the work you put in.  Once you’ve got this understanding, that’s really all you need to be concerned about, “What have I done?”   That’s it.  Are you continually planting seeds or do you get discouraged when you encounter a storm that destroys your work?  Do you get disgruntled and bent out of shape because you’re experiencing a period of drought?  How strong is your belief in you and the work that you’re doing?  If it’s rock solid you can rest easy because you truly understand that nothing is wasted.  Not a single drop of your work goes to waste.  Every ounce of your effort produces fruit.  All you have to do is be ready to handle the harvest that’s coming your way.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES. 

photo:  http://www.gadgetreview.com

Slide Into Your Happiness

Two months down and we have managed to crawl our way into March.  Already – right?  And my, oh my, am I feeling good.  I truly am.  I literally feel like I’m bursting at the seams with energy, and my heart is heavy with hope, faith, belief and excitement.  The only thing I really want to share with everyone today is happiness and the fact that it’s out there for the taking.  Each and every one of you is due your slice and your fair share.  If you are stuck living a life that doesn’t bring you happiness; it’s your fault.  If you are not being completely fulfilled in your current day-to-day; you have the power to change that.  If you have dreams that you’ve locked away; you still possess the key to bring them out of hiding.  If you look in the mirror and you hate the person you’ve become; I’m telling you now – you no longer have to be that person if you don’t want to be.  Happiness and fulfillment are well within your reach and you can have them both.  You should have them both, and you should only be disappointed with yourself if you don’t. 

Listen.  If you say to a child, “You can be anything you want to be,” why shouldn’t that statement still hold true for those over 18 years old?  Why not?  And don’t talk to me about responsibility.  Don’t talk to me about being a single mom or a single dad.  Don’t.  My question to you is, “Do you still believe you can be anything you want to be?”  My guess is you don’t.  I’m willing to put money on the fact that you believe your situation to be the rule, and when people are able to realize their dreams, they are the exception as far as you're concerned.  You know what??  Poppy-cock!  Someone sent you a package full of lies and you were the fool that signed your name when the delivery guy came, because it doesn’t have to be like that.  This world is filled with example after example of people overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to get what they wanted.  In my opinion they are the rules to live by, not your neighbor/buddy/friend that believes that bad luck is the only kind of luck that exists.  Why don’t you let them have all the bad luck they want while you claim something a little different for yourself?

Let’s talk real quick about your job.  If you’re working a job that you don’t particularly care for, but you need it to provide – I’m not suggesting you dump it without a second thought.  Be mindful of your situation and your needs.  I am suggesting, however; that you look pick up some outside-of-work activities that will put a smile on your face and recharge your battery.  If you feel like your 9 to 5 is sucking the life out of you, then it is your duty to restore that life with things that feed your soul.  Exercising, volunteering, drawing, painting, singing, more time with your children, reading, dancing, or even taking some classes at your local community college.  Perhaps with some additional training and skills you’ll be able to walk away from that job and into a better one that’s not bleeding you dry emotionally.  All I’m asking is that you think outside the box.  I don’t want a single one of you to settle for unhappy.  It’s not cool, it’s not cute, and there’s so much more to life.  If you believe that the first grader has the power to be anything he/she wants to be, I beg that you also believe that for yourself.

Here’s my year so far…

JANUARY

I received the final version and accompanying products for my STILL STANDING logo.  STILL STANDING is my personal message of survival that will be the final bit of punctuation necessary to round out my brand.  Items aren’t yet available for purchase, but they soon will be.  I want to thank Spencer Owens and his wonderful team at 1Six5 Designs for making my dream a reality.

FEBRUARY

I received the final word that STEPPING ON A FEW TOES would have its east coast debut in New York City on the campus of College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Please, please, please do not be a bystander in your own life.  There is no reason you should be watching from the sidelines.  Make the decision to be active and participate and don’t stop until you’ve claimed your happiness.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES. 

photo:  www.stockfreeimages.com

Patience Party of One, Your Table Is Ready

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you felt like you’d do just about anything to get it.  All of a sudden all bets were off and you were going for broke no matter what?  But then Plan A failed you… Plan B didn’t quite work out like you hoped… and now you’re staring at Plan C with just a hint of fear under your skin.

As of late I’ve been thinking that perhaps your plans are failing because the universe, God, your higher power has something bigger and better in store for you.  Your silly plans were meant to fail because they weren’t grand enough to bring about what’s been set aside for you.  The very thing that you want, you will get – but it has nothing to do with your timing.  It has nothing to do with your wit.  It has nothing to do with your charisma, your talent or your skill.  It has everything to do with your patience. 

Aahhh…patience.  There’s that word again.  Sitting tight when you really want to get up and go.   Holding your horses when you’d much rather run like the wind.  Pausing for a moment when everything inside you wants to get your Energizer bunny on.  I’ll admit, patience is no easy task.  Some would even argue that it’s more difficult to exercise patience than it is to put your own plan into action.  Agreed.  Agreed.  Agreed.  But the reward of patience far exceeds any piddly thing(s) you’d get through your own efforts and plans.  And here’s where you have to exercise belief.  The question isn’t can you work hard enough to get what you want.  The question is do you believe you will have what you seek in spite of your shortcomings and your flaws.  Do you have the confidence and belief to cut it out with the plans and just let nature take its course?  I hope you do and I want you to because nature is taking you right where you want to go if you just let her do her thing.  Don’t rush it, just enjoy the ride because before you know it you’ll be right where you always wanted to be and you will barely remember how you got there.

Patience and belief, my friend.  Introduce yourself to them and vow to never leave home without ‘em.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES. 

photo:  www.stockfreeimages.com

Go Beyond the Limits & Push Your Boundaries

There are many benefits to being in charge; one of them is being able to make executive decisions (some call it “changing your mind”).  I don’t like writing a single blog on Fridays so I’m shifting it to Mondays (for now, right?).

There’s a commercial that’s on TV right now that says this line, “The only limit is the one you set yourself.”

I have no clue what they’re selling, but no matter what I’m doing, every time I hear that line I pause in my tracks, nod my head, and smile before I get back to work.

Where would you be – where COULD you be if you unleashed yourself?  If you just took the reins off and let loose, where would you end up?  Do you have any clue?  Could you even fathom a guess?  Is there a place you’re crossing your fingers for?  I bet most of you at least have that.  You’ve at least got a wish list of “best case scenarios” tucked away on a mental shelf somewhere.  I just ask, why keep ‘em tucked away?  Why not keep that list in plain view to serve as a constant reminder of where you hope to go?  Who you hope to be?  Instead you’ve got it shoved so far back into your closet that you’ve got a better chance of finding Narnia than your wish list.  All I’m suggesting is that you begin to see the possibilities within your list as opposed to seeing everything as impossible.

If fifty people were rallying behind you, saying, “Oh my gosh!  You should do it!  You should totally do it!  You’ll be awesome!”  I have no doubt that you would at least try.  Of course you would – who wouldn’t? That many people singing your praises…egging you on with positivity…fists pumping in the air…knuckles bumping in unison.  The only thing that scene is missing is a dancing flash mob cheering you on.

Here’s the only bit of (nasty) reality that I’m gonna give you:  the flash mob probably won’t show up.  Sorry.  But the fifty people rallying behind you are there, whether you see them or not.  No, I don’t see dead people.  What I’m saying is you have way more people pulling for you than you think or even know, but if you’re waiting for them to come, all at once, and shake you out of your funk, you might be waiting for a long time.  Your cheerleaders come in the form of family members, close and extended… close friends… teachers and professors… boyfriends… girlfriends… spouses… children… the list really goes on and on.  And every single day you place a limit on yourself, you let one of your cheerleaders down because they’re watching you.   They’re watching, hoping and waiting on you to break free from your chains and run like Forrest Gump to all of your dreams.  Just what if one of them was possible?  What if it’s actually doable?  What if you’re the missing ingredient?  What if you’re the missing link?  What if you’ve been holding the key(s) to your success this whole time?  Why not remove the limit from yourself and find out?

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.  

photo:  www.stockfreeimages.com